Over the last decade, recognizing and treating mental health issues during pregnancy and the first year of a baby’s life has gotten much better.
However, not everyone has benefited equally from these improvements.
Some new parents, depending on where they live or their background, still face challenges in getting help for mental health problems.
These issues, if untreated, can harm both the parent and their child.
Research has shown that, between 2008 and 2020, more Americans with private health insurance were diagnosed with mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) during and after pregnancy.
There was also an increase in the number of people getting help through therapy and medication.
These findings come from a team at the University of Michigan who looked into mental health during what is called the perinatal period—this includes pregnancy and the first year after a child is born.
They focused on a group of mental health conditions known as perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMAD), which cover various types of depression and anxiety that can occur during this time.
Here’s what they found in their studies:
Diagnoses of PTSD, which is anxiety caused by experiencing or witnessing traumatic events, quadrupled. By 2020, nearly 2% of new or expecting parents were diagnosed with it, often alongside other mental health issues.
Diagnoses of PMAD nearly doubled since 2008, with a significant increase seen after 2015. By 2020, 28% of new or expecting parents were diagnosed with a PMAD.
There was more than a double increase in reports of suicidal thoughts or actions among this group, although this decreased among those who had been diagnosed with a PMAD.
The number of people receiving therapy paid for by their insurance more than doubled, with a significant increase in therapy for those diagnosed with PMAD after 2014.
Prescriptions for antidepressants during and after pregnancy also increased, especially after new treatment guidelines were introduced in 2015 and 2016. By 2020, nearly half of those diagnosed with a PMAD were prescribed antidepressants.
These studies show significant progress in the awareness and treatment of maternal mental health issues. However, the researchers also noted that not everyone is getting the help they need, highlighting the importance of continued efforts to improve care for all.
The increase in diagnosis and treatment coincides with broader insurance coverage through laws like the Affordable Care Act and updated treatment guidelines from health organizations.
Awareness and acceptance of mental health issues have also improved, contributing to these positive trends.
Yet, the studies also reveal disparities in care. For example, white individuals were more likely to be prescribed antidepressants and diagnosed with PTSD than people of color, despite research suggesting that the latter group may experience higher rates of PTSD.
The youngest parents studied saw the most significant increases in diagnoses and treatment, highlighting the importance of support for this vulnerable group.
The research also points out that there’s room for improvement, especially in offering equal care across different states and demographic groups.
The future of perinatal mental health care looks promising, with ongoing studies into the effects of policy changes, telehealth services, and other factors that could further improve support for new and expecting parents and their families.
If you care about depression, please read studies about how dairy foods may influence depression risk, and B vitamins could help prevent depression and anxiety.
For more information about mental health, please see recent studies that ultra-processed foods may make you feel depressed, and extra-virgin olive oil could reduce depression symptoms.
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